Archives for May 2017

You’ve been excitedly planning your upcoming travel adventure and have spent hours looking at pictures and videos, reading reviews and discovering the most amazing destinations. Now it’s time to pick your amazing hotel or incredible vacation rental, and start scoping out which vacation activities will make your journey even more special. It’s time to book this trip and make your travel dream come true!

You’re ready to set everything up, either on your own or through a travel agent. With your research you’ve spotted some incredible deals and now you are just about to push the button and put your hard earned money to work creating the vacation of a lifetime! Before you say go, though, you really should consider protecting yourself with travel insurance.

Travel Insurance Basics

Travel Insurance offerings typically fall into one of five areas, although there are specialized plans you may want to consider also. Two common items offered are travel medical insurance and trip cancellation and interruption coverage. In addition baggage, evacuation and flight insurance are also available.

Before you purchase travel insurance it pays to think through exactly what you would like to insure for and what coverage would give you the most peace of mind. For instance, are you interested in protecting against loss of nonrefundable fares or travel expenses? Or are you primarily concerned with assuring adequate and paid for medical care on your journey? While some plans include multiple types of coverage, you can often get more affordable premiums if you are only interested in a specific area of coverage.

If you are an extreme athlete or daredevil adventurer, you will want to research available policies to make sure that your hazardous sports activities are included in coverage. You may want to consider a specialized policy that specifically covers the activities that interest you.

One of the popular offerings in the travel insurance realm is a ‘cancel for any reason’ policy. While these policies are more expensive than typical insurance they give the most flexibility for changing your travel plans. Typically you can cancel your travel plans and receive reimbursement of around 75% of your travel expenses.

Travel Insurance Tips and Traps

You should be aware that there are important exclusions that could affect any claim you may have to file. Being drunk can invalidate your claim for coverage if you were a theft victim while intoxicated. Additionally it can affect your medical coverage if drinking was a factor in your medical situation. It’s important to exercise moderation when drinking on vacation.

To make sure you are covered in the event of theft you must take reasonable care of your possessions. For instance, if you leave your wallet and credit cards unattended on a pool chair you may not be covered. It’s important to keep copies of receipts for items you are traveling with and for items you purchased on the trip. Remember to get a police report if are the victim of a theft or robbery.

With careful research and a comparison of available travel insurance policies, you can protect your investment in your vacation and cover any medical issues and personal property too. Finding the right travel insurance can give you peace of mind as you enjoy your dream vacation!

Traveling is one of the greatest joys in life, from discovering the perfect beach to exploring a bustling city. It’s no surprise that billions of people travel outside their countries’ borders each year to experience the indescribable.

Although spontaneous trips can create some of the best experiences, it’s always worth planning ahead to ensure your vacation runs smoothly. When organizing a vacation, it’s important to set a budget, but that doesn’t mean your trip has to be expensive. Follow these top tips to enjoy an affordable trip.

Save on airport parking

There are several types of airport parking, with something for everyone. For quick and convenient airport parking, the Valet service allows you to simply drop off your car, have it parked for you and away you go. If you opt for a Self-Park option, a quick transfer on a free shuttle gets you to where you need to be without splashing the cash.

There is a wide variety of airport parking providers, so don’t be fooled into booking the most expensive option. Since prices can vary greatly, make sure you do your research to find the best option for you. Companies like Looking4Parking can score you fantastic deals – especially when you reserve your spot in advance.

Ditch the travel guides

Although travel guides might seem like essential items, they can be unnecessary with most of the information readily available online. Today’s most practical sources of information can be stored right in your pocket – it really is true that “there’s an app for that.”

Free apps can save you money when it comes to planning your journey. The “Guides by Lonely Planet” app allows you to get to the heart of a destination with phrasebooks, offline maps and a currency converter. “LiveTrekker” helps you create a digital journal of your travels with interactive maps, speed and altitude monitors. Finally, “Wi-Fi Finder” allows you to locate public Wi-Fi hotspots so you can check your emails or search for information on the go. Now, who needs a travel guide?

Don’t follow Tour Guides

Free Walking Tour

Although Tour Guides give information on local attractions, sometimes the best experiences are the ones you create yourself. Booking a tour can really eat into your budget while restricting you from exploring an attraction at your own leisure.

Instead, you can research the attraction and plan your own experience. Free travel apps can be particularly useful for sourcing information on locations. Alternatively, speaking with locals can give you insights into the history of the area and allows you to fully immerse yourself in the local culture.

For popular tourist attractions, try to avoid peak times and visit either later in the day or earlier in the morning. You’ll avoid any hiked-up prices due to popular hours and will be able to marvel at the sights without craning your neck over a crowd of travelers.

Enjoy the local hospitality

Souvlaki

Tempting as it is to eat out every night, the bills will quickly add up. Source some local ingredients and do some cooking of your own – perhaps even try making a traditional dish with your own spin on it!

If cooking is not your thing, look for the local haunts or try a family café – places filled with locals often serve the best and most authentic dishes.

If you truly want to immerse yourself in an authentic experience then the VizEat app is worth a try. Choose the style of food you’d like to eat and let the app find a local who’s eager to cook for you. Then, simply book online, pay and enjoy! Not only is it cheaper, but the experience of eating a home cooked meal will give you a real taste of the place.

Be wary of hidden charges

Even the most adept of travelers can be caught out by hidden charges, so be sure to read the small print. For your hand luggage, remember to check the specific dimensions outlined by your airline. Similarly, don’t forget to weigh your check in baggage before arriving at the airport to avoid hefty baggage charges.

Plane meals, when not included in the price of your ticket, are often quite expensive. It’s always worth taking a few snacks with you on the plane or eating before your flight.

Credit cards can also have hidden fees when used internationally. To avoid these charges, buy some foreign currency before boarding your flight or consider using a prepaid card like Monzo, which makes it easier to stick to a set budget.

When traveling, it is easy to end up spending more money than you had planned to. By doing your research in advance and making some smart decisions along the way, you can make the most of your trip and even save some cash for the next one!

Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the second largest in the US. The city is a large and sprawling metropolis that’s a magnet for celebs, tourists, and surfers. This is one of the most popular travel destinations in the States and it gets millions of tourists every year.

1# Rent a Car:

This is one of the most important tips I can give you. The city is huge and all the attractions are spread out. Public transport isn’t very good and cabs are expensive. For the freedom and flexibility to explore this city, rent a car. You can find reasonable rentals at the airport.

2# Join a Free Walking Tour:

Free Walking Tours are becoming more popular around the world and LA is no exception. There are a few to choose from and it’s a great way to see all the sites. The guides are very knowledgeable and you’ll have more understanding about the city than you could imagine. They can also give you some insider tips on the best places to go and where to buy delicious and good value food.

3# Water in Restaurants is Usually Free:

If you’re a budget traveler, you want to experience what it’s like in some of the better restaurants in the city. But, you’re also searching the menu for the cheapest meal. Drinks are often ridiculously expensive. The good news is that most restaurants will give you a glass of tap water for free. You can have as many refills as you want so don’t feel obliged to order the $5 can of soda.

4# Check Out the Beaches:

When you’re in LA, take the time to check out the beaches. My favorites are Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach. But, they do get crowded at certain times. It’s worth it for me because you can experience one of the most amazing sunsets in the world.

5# Understand the Tipping Etiquette:

Tipping is one of the hardest things to understand when we visit a new country. Some places include a service charge and tips are viewed as offensive, others oblige customers to leave them. This can get very confusing and awkward for travelers.

In LA, tips aren’t included in the bill and are expected from the customer.

Standard tips are around 15-20% for waiters and cab drivers. You should give bellhops or anyone that helps you carry your bags $1 to $2. Tipping is expected yet it isn’t obligatory, so use this information as a guideline only.

6# Fly to Burbank Bob Hope Airport:

This is the second airport in the city. It gets fewer people and has better connections to the city in comparison to LAX. Major airlines fly to Burbank Hope Airport and you can find several car rentals agencies inside. You don’t have to fly into the big airport when you arrive.

7# Take Advantage of Free Museum Days:

It’s good to be aware that some museums have free Admissions if you want to soak up some of the culture in LA. Others have certain days or weeks in the month that are free for visitors. You can find all of this information online with a quick Google search.

8# Take a Day Trip:

You don’t have to stay in LA for your entire trip. It’s easy to get to both Santa Barbara and Palm Springs. There are regular train links and it’s not too far to drive on your own. If you do take these day trips, the scenery is breathtaking.

9# Remember Your ID:

This city is a magnet for young tourists from around the world. But, one thing that shocks people when they first arrive is that they forget the drinking age here is 21. This is fine, most people are older. However, many of the bars and clubs are adamant about showing ID before you can buy alcohol. This can be a particular problem for some nationalities in Europe where you may have been buying beer from the shop legally since the age of the 16.

10# Don’t Go on a Tour to See Celeb Homes:

Tour companies advertise and market how amazing it is to go and visit the home of one of your favorite celebs. They make it sound like you’re going to see them in person. Take my advice, it’s a waste of time.

Most don’t spend any significant amount of time in LA. You’re just going to see a fence and a nice lawn whilst paying an operator an extortionate amount of money. This is one of the biggest tourist traps in LA. Avoid them.

The Takeaway Message:

LA is a huge city and very popular with travelers of all ages and budgets. Whatever you decide to do here, follow these 10 essential travel tips to make the most out of your time. The most important thing is to stay safe and have an unforgettable travel experience in Los Angeles.